Navigating the NDIS

 Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme can be a daunting task. It requires a thorough understanding of eligibility, funding mechanisms and the diverse spectrum of support available.

The NDIS provides people with disability with reasonable and necessary supports to reach their goals. These goals are mapped out in an NDIS-approved plan.

NDIS Eligibility

NDIS services Perth provides funding for personalised care and support services to Australians with permanent and significant disability. It is a government funded program specific to Australia and operates alongside broader systems of support like healthcare. Individuals seeking NDIS support must meet certain eligibility criteria.

Eligibility is based on how your condition affects your ability to live, interact and participate in the community. To qualify, your disability must be permanent and significantly impact your daily activities. It can be physical, intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory or psychosocial.

Creating and submitting an NDIS plan is the first step to accessing the funding you need for support. It involves creating a personalised plan detailing your goals, needs and preferred supports. The process can be complex, but it is possible with proper documentation. Psychology, PBS and OT (occupational therapy) practices such as Sigma Therapies are well-equipped to prepare comprehensive documentation for NDIS applications and reassessments. They can also create tailored support plans that align with the NDIS support lists.

NDIS Funding

The NDIS provides participants with funding to access the supports they need to manage their disability and achieve their goals. This can include support workers, equipment, home modifications and more.

Funding is provided through a number of different categories, including core, capital and capacity building. Each category has its own rules that must be adhered to when spending your NDIS funding.

When you become eligible for the NDIS, a planning conversation will be organised between you and an NDIA representative. This is usually your Local Area Coordinator (LAC).

This meeting will determine your eligibility and what goals you want to work towards. From here your LAC will help you map these goals out in a plan, which will determine what kind of support you can get and how much. The plan is also flexible, allowing you to change it if your circumstances or needs change. You can choose to self-manage or be plan managed by an NDIA Registered Plan Manager.

NDIS Support Coordination

A support coordinator is able to assist participants in managing their budgets, as well as linking them to services that can help them pursue their goals and live more independently. They can also manage the NDIS plan on behalf of the participant, ensuring that the funds are used as efficiently as possible.

Ark specialises in delivering high-quality disability support services in Perth and across Australia. Their range of services includes support coordination, psychosocial functional capacity assessments, social work and bespoke NDIS counselling.

NDIS supports coordination helps participants understand their plans, connect with appropriate disability services and providers, and develop skills and confidence to manage their own support needs. The costs of this support are included in your Capacity Building budget, so you don’t pay out of pocket and can utilise your funding more effectively. There are different levels of coordination available to suit your unique needs and circumstances. These include:

NDIS Success Stories

The success stories of Sarah, Mark, Emma and the Johnson family exemplify the positive impacts that tailored NDIS support can have on participants. Through access to specialised services and funding, the NDIS has empowered these families to enhance their quality of life, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals.

Emma, who has a vision impairment, faced isolation and struggled with community engagement before the NDIS. Her NDIS plan included assistive technology, which improved her mobility and allowed her to build more meaningful social connections. She also received home modifications and personal supports, which increased her independence.

Liam loves story writing and drawing cartoons. He has turned this passion into his own small business, selling books and pins, USB sticks and key rings with what he calls ‘Liam-isms’ – uplifting phrases he quotes to make people smile.